Engineer - Process (Soya Nuggets Section)

Role & Responsibilities:

• Responsible for shift-wise production operations of the 100 TPD Soya Nuggets Plant, ensuring achievement of planned production targets.
• Monitor the complete manufacturing process including raw material feeding, extrusion, drying, cooling, sizing and packing of Soya Nuggets.
• Ensure smooth and continuous plant operation by monitoring process parameters, equipment performance and production efficiency.
• Ensure optimum utilization of manpower, machinery, raw materials and utilities during the shift.
• Monitor and control production yield, process losses, wastage, rejection and rework.
• Ensure product quality parameters such as moisture, texture, size, appearance and other specifications are maintained as per defined standards.
• Coordinate with Quality/QA for in-process quality checks, product release and corrective actions in case of deviations.
• Ensure adherence to GMP, GHP, food safety standards, HACCP/FSSC requirements, SOPs and hygiene practices.
• Supervise and allocate work to operators, technicians, packing personnel and contractual manpower deployed in the shift.
• Coordinate with Mechanical/Electrical/Utility Maintenance teams for breakdown rectification and preventive maintenance activities.
• Identify reasons for equipment downtime and production losses and initiate appropriate corrective actions.
• Ensure proper cleaning, sanitation, line clearance and changeover activities as per plant procedures.
• Ensure compliance with all EHS requirements, PPE usage, LOTO procedures and safe operating practices.
• Maintain accurate shift records including production quantity, material consumption, downtime, rejection, yield, quality deviations and manpower deployment.
• Ensure proper shift handover/takeover with clear communication of production status, breakdowns, quality issues and pending activities.
• Coordinate with Stores/Warehouse for timely availability of raw materials and packaging materials.
• Coordinate with the Packing and Dispatch teams for smooth movement and packing of finished goods.
• Monitor consumption of power, steam, water, compressed air and other utilities and work towards improving operational efficiency.
• Carry out root-cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions for recurring production, quality and equipment-related issues.
• Drive 5S, Kaizen, productivity improvement, cost reduction and continuous improvement initiatives within the plant.
• Train and guide shop-floor manpower on SOPs, process controls, food safety, quality and safe operating practices.
• Immediately escalate critical production, quality, safety, maintenance or manpower-related issues to the concerned senior management.

Preferred Candidate Profile:

• B.Tech / B.E. / Diploma in Food Technology, Food Engineering or a related discipline.
• Relevant experience in Soya Nuggets / Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP) / Extrusion-based food processing / FMCG food manufacturing will be preferred.
• Hands-on experience in handling continuous production operations and shift management in a food processing plant.
• Good understanding of extrusion process, dryers, material handling systems and packing operations.
• Knowledge of GMP, GHP, HACCP, FSSC/ISO food safety requirements and manufacturing SOPs.
• Experience in manpower handling, production planning, troubleshooting, yield improvement and loss reduction.
• Ability to coordinate effectively with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Utilities, Warehouse and Packing teams.
• Strong problem-solving ability with a focus on Safety, Quality, Productivity, Cost and Delivery.
• Should be comfortable working in a rotational shift environment and independently handling plant operations during the assigned shift.